German B1 exam
German B1 exam: format, preparation and 12 online mock tests
B1 is the level many Indians in Germany need for a settlement permit, naturalisation together with the Einbürgerungstest, and work. This independent guide explains the telc Deutsch B1 format and gives Learning Pass members twelve complete original mock exams with secure marking.
telc B1 scoring and pass marks
The full examination has 300 points. The written and oral sections must each be passed separately.
Lesen
75 Punkte · 25%
Sprachbausteine
30 Punkte · 10%
Hören
75 Punkte · 25%
Schreiben
45 Punkte · 15%
Sprechen
75 Punkte · 25%
Bestehen
135/225 schriftlich · 45/75 mündlich
What telc Deutsch B1 contains
The written exam is worth 225 points and the paired oral exam 75 points. You must reach 60 percent in each section. Formats vary between providers, so the timings below apply specifically to telc Deutsch B1.
Lesen
Three parts and 20 questions: match headlines, understand a detailed article, and match ten situations to advertisements. Worth 75 points.
Sprachbausteine
Two parts and 20 gaps testing grammar and vocabulary. Lesen and Sprachbausteine share a 90-minute block. Worth 30 points.
Hören
Three parts and 20 true-or-false questions. Short texts play once; the longer conversation and announcements play twice. About 30 minutes, worth 75 points.
Schreiben
One personal or semi-formal email covering four required points. 30 minutes, worth 45 points.
Sprechen
20 minutes of preparation, then about 15 minutes in pairs: get acquainted, discuss opposing viewpoints, and plan something together. Worth 75 points.
Twelve full mock exams with marking
Each test contains 60 objective questions across eight parts, one four-point email and all three paired speaking tasks, with its own texts and recordings.
Marked on the spot
Reading, language elements and listening are marked securely on the server. Answers, explanations and listening transcripts appear only after submission.
AI writing feedback
Write the exam email and get corrections, better phrasing and an estimate of your level.
Three part speaking
Kontaktaufnahme, a short talk on a topic and planning something together, with an examiner voice.
The twelve mock exams are part of the Learning Pass. The Einbürgerungstest practice with all 460 official questions stays free.
Independent preparation material. India to Germany Guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by telc gGmbH. Exam format and fees can change; verify current rules with your examination centre.
B1 and the Einbürgerungstest
For naturalisation you normally show two things: German at B1 level and a passed Einbürgerungstest with 33 questions from the official catalogue. They are separate tests taken at separate centres. Many people prepare for both at the same time, because the Einbürgerungstest questions also build the vocabulary about politics, work and society that comes up in the B1 reading and speaking parts.
German B1 exam: common questions
What is the German B1 exam?
B1 is the third level of the Common European Framework. A B1 certificate says you can handle everyday situations in German: work, housing, authorities, health and simple opinions. The common exams are Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1 and ÖSD Zertifikat B1. All three test four modules: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen.
How is the B1 exam structured and how long does it take?
In telc Deutsch B1, Lesen and Sprachbausteine share 90 minutes, Hören takes about 30 minutes, and Schreiben takes 30 minutes. The paired oral exam has 20 minutes of preparation and lasts about 15 minutes. The written section is worth 225 points and the oral section 75 points. You need at least 135 written points and 45 oral points.
Where can Indians take the B1 exam?
In India the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune hold Goethe-Zertifikat B1, and many licensed schools offer telc B1. In Germany almost every Volkshochschule and many language schools are telc exam centres. Fees vary by centre and year, so always confirm the current fee and dates with the exam centre itself.
Why does B1 matter for Indians in Germany?
B1 German is the usual language level expected for the settlement permit and for naturalisation, where it is checked alongside the Einbürgerungstest. It also helps with job applications, recognition procedures for nurses and skilled workers, and daily life with landlords, schools and authorities.
How do I prepare for and pass the B1 exam?
Learn the format first, then practise under exam timing. Complete all three reading parts, both language-elements parts and all three listening parts. Write one email covering four required points, then practise introducing yourself, discussing opposing views and planning with a partner. Use your dashboard to repeat question types below 60 percent.
Are the mock exams on this site free?
The Einbürgerungstest practice with all 460 official questions is free. The twelve full B1 mock exams, the AI writing feedback and the speaking simulator are part of the Learning Pass, because each sitting is marked and commented individually.